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Ketchum becomes third Idaho city to pass LGBT non-discrimination ordinance

KETCHUM, Idaho — LGBT folks who live, work and play in the south-central Idaho town of Ketchum will soon be included in a city wide non-discrimination policy.

Following a third reading of the measure, the Ketchum city council on Tuesday evening passed the ordinance, which prohibits discrimination based on a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity in cases of housing, employment and public accommodation.

“The city has zero tolerance when it comes to discrimination based on somebody’s sexual orientation,” he said. “We wanted to make sure we lead by example and make sure everybody understands that there will be no discrimination in Ketchum..”

The next step will be to create a “Human Relations Review Board” which “would be formed to investigate complaints of violations of the ordinance.

The emphasis of the ordinance will be on “mediation and education.” However, violators could be charged by the Blaine County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with a misdemeanor,” the Mountain Express reported.

Leaders in Pocatello, and Moscow are also considering adding their own anti-discrimination bans. Driggs considered its own proposal in November but council members voted not to move the measure forward.

The city of Idaho Falls is scheduled to have the first reading of its anti-discrimination ordinance on Thursday.

Earlier this month, Twin Falls and Lewiston approved adding sexual orientation and gender identity to existing non-discrimination policies in hiring for city jobs.